Non-Denominational Congregations/Synagogues

* Listings with an asterisk are part of the JUF/JF partnership of agencies serving the Chicago and worldwide Jewish community.

Aitz Hayim Center for Jewish Living

1185 Sheridan Road
Glencoe
IL
60022
Phone: 847-835-3232
Email: aitzhayim@gmail.com
URL: https://www.aitzhayim.org
Contact: Todd Jacobs, Executive Director

For twenty-nine years Aitz Hayim has been an innovative community making Jewish living inviting and accessible to all who are interested. We believe Jewish thinking is sophisticated, nuanced, and useful in navigating our complex lives and unstable world. We have developed services that are interactive, informal, and open to challenging ideas. Being a lay-driven, non-authoritarian community enables us to own our own Judaism. Studying with scholars, innovative thinkers, or activists who are using their Judaism to change the world gives us depth and insight in directing our energy and commitments. Taking responsibility for each other makes us more caring people. We draw on the liturgy to open up hidden inner feelings, never as rote exercises with responsive readings. Music stimulates personal expression, not passive withdrawal. Whether you are oriented towards being with us for Shabbat, High Holidays, or special events, the Aitz Hayim path will fill your head and your heart.

Anshe Tikvah Synagogue

P.O. Box 2455
Northbrook
IL
60065
Phone: (847) 917-7726
Email: robjury@anshetikvah.org
URL: http://www.anshetikvah.org
Contact: Cantor Rabbi Rob Jury

A progressive egalitarian and spiritually welcoming community. Meets at Hawthorne Learning Center, 200 Glendale Street, Wheeling.

B'Chavana

P.O. Box 7608
Buffalo Grove
IL
60089
Phone: (847) 951-7557
Email: rabbi@bchavana.org
URL: http://www.bchavana.org
Contact: Rabbi Marc J. Belgrad

A close-knit community, B'Chavana offers members an opportunity to grow in spirituality in an intentional way, through learning, prayer, song, celebration and acts that repair the world.

Congregation B’nai Chai North Shore

Jewett Park Community Center
901 Springfield Ave.
Deerfield
IL
60015
Phone: (847) 331-3584
Email: bnaichai@gmail.com
URL: http://bnaichai.blogspot.com

Transdenominational congregation.

Congregation Beth Shalom (Naperville)

772 W. Fifth Ave.
Naperville
IL
60563
Phone: (630) 961-1818
Fax: (630) 961-2094
Email: office772@napershalom.org
URL: http://www.napershalom.org
Contact: Rabbi Marc D. Rudolph

Independent congregation.

Congregation Kneseth Israel

330 Division Street
Elgin
IL
60120
Phone: (847) 741-5656
Fax: (847) 741-5924
Email: rabbi@ckielgin.org
URL: http://www.ckielgin.org
Contact: Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein

Non-denominational congregation.

Congregation Shevet Achim

Buckingham Pavilion
2625 W. Touhy Ave.
Chicago
IL
60645
Phone: (773) 973-4843
Email: shevetachim@buckinghampavilion.com
Contact: Rabbi D.B. Dubovick

Non-denominational congregation.

Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors (FVJN)

121 S. Third Street
P. O. Box 346
Geneva
IL
60134
Phone: (630) 465-0356
Email: info@fvjn.org
URL: http://www.fvjn.org

Inclusive Jewish community group for Jewish and interfaith families. The mission of FVJN is to enrich lives, enhance connections and be a resource for the Jewish community. Offers educational, social, religious and charitable programs built upon Jewish values, heritage and culture.

Joliet Jewish Congregation

250 N. Midland Ave.
Joliet
IL
60435
Phone: (815) 741-4600
Fax: (815) 741-9311
Email: jolietjewish@att.net
URL: http://www.jolietjewishcongregation.com
Contact: Rabbi Jenny Steinberg Kuvin, JD CHT

Non-denominational congregation.Rabbi Emeritus: Rabbi Charles Rubovits

Makom Shalom - The Community

at Broadway United Methodist Church
3338 N. Broadway
Chicago
IL
60657
Phone: 872-221-0499
Email: chicagomakom@gmail.com
URL: www.makomshalom.com
Contact: Ascher Levy

The communities of Makom Shalom and Mitziut are in the process of merging. Together, we are a Jewish Renewal community, offering deeply spiritual and joyous services. We are progressive and egalitarian, we welcome all who wish to worship with us, and we work toward repairing injustice in the world.

McHenry County Jewish Congregation

8617 Ridgefield Road
Crystal Lake
IL
60012
Phone: (815) 455-1810
Email: office@mcjconline.org
URL: www.mcjconline.org
Contact: Rabbi Tom Samuels

Non-denominational congregation.

Mishkan Chicago

4001 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Suite 101
Chicago
IL
60613
Phone: (773) 893-0613
Email: admin@mishkanchicago.org
URL: http://www.mishkanchicago.org
Contact: Rachel Cort

Mishkan's mission is to engage, educate, empower, connect and inspire people through dynamic experiences of Jewish prayer, learning, social activism and community building. Whether in person or online, through music or Talmud or powerful conversations, whether in services or social events, Mishkan is reimagining and reinvigorating the next generation of Judaism in Chicago and beyond.

Mitziut Jewish Community

616 Michigan Ave.
Evanston
IL
60202-3070
Phone: (773) 531-4001
Email: mitziut@yahoo.com
URL: http://www.mitziut.weebly.com
Contact: Rabbi Menachem Cohen

Mitzuit is a safe, non-judgmental, take-off-your-shoes-if-you-like diverse group of good people, where all are welcomed and accepted regardless of knowledge and experience of Judaism. Services are inclusive, participatory, joyous, relaxed. Various activities, including Shabbos on the Beach, meditation drop in group and Jewish drum circle, allow individuals to deepen their Jewish spiritual explorations within a group experience.

Skokie Egalitarian Minyan

4500 Dempster St
Skokie
IL
60076
Phone: Email: rspiro18@gmail.com
Contact: Rachel Spiro

Spiritual, Camp Ramah style, Conservative, lay-led and very welcoming.  Meets on the 2nd, 4th and 5th Saturday of the month.  Includes families with young children and those who are empty nesters.  Everyone is invited! 

Temple B'nai Israel of Aurora

400 N. Edgelawn Drive
Aurora
IL
60506
Phone: (630) 892-2450
Fax: (630) 892-8317
Email: info@temple-bnai-israel.org
URL: http://www.temple-bnai-israel.org
Contact: Rabbi Edward Friedman

Independent congregation.

What's New in the Guide

Rachael's Creations

Handmade, unique Judaica crafted from polymer clay, including mezuzah cases, shabbat candle stick sets, menorahs and seder plates. Pieces are adorned with a variety of elements including wire, beads, stones, mica powders and alcohol inks. Many gifts can be personalized with English or Hebrew letters.

Rabbi Menachem Slavaticki

Rabbi Slavaticki is a highly experienced Mohel who has performed numerous circumcisions over the years. He is known for his expertise, professionalism, and compassionate care for both the baby and the family.

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt

At Menchie's, we provide delicious frozen yogurt and sorbet made with all real and natural ingredients. We have very unique flavors that adhere to everyone's needs including Dairy-free, Nut-free, No sugar added, and Low Carb. Not to mention, all of our flavors are Kosher! We are known as one of the best Kosher dessert places in the city of Chicago! We also have lots of fun coloring sheets and a chalkboard at our store so that families can take their time and enjoy the fun and welcoming environment of our frozen yogurt shop. We bring the community together over delicious, Kosher treats at Menchie's Frozen Yogurt.